Governments finalise preferred option for $300m Cairns Western Arterial Road upgrade
The preferred upgrade option for $300m Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway has been finalised. SEE THE PLANS HERE
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THE preferred upgrade option for $300m Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Road and Captain Cook Highway has been finalised.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Cairns Western Arterial Road project will duplicate the remaining, single-lane sections to address safety and capacity issues on Cairns Western Arterial Road.
State Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the project will be carried out in three stages to minimise traffic disruptions, with the second stage including a duplication of the rail overpass at Redlynch.
It will support an estimated 185 jobs over the life of the project.
“Due to the soils at this location, extra initial works will be required before the main works can start in 2023,” Mr Crawford said.
“The section between Harley Street and Lake Placid Road, including a new bridge over the Barron River at Kamerunga, will be the third and final stage.
“This project will further improve the Cairns road network and supplement the works being undertaken as part of the $359 million Cairns Ring Road project.”
State Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the project would further improve travel times already achieved with the completion of the $16.3 million, Harley Street intersection upgrade.
“With a growing city, it is essential that we continue to invest in essential infrastructure and Cairns Western Arterial Road is a key part of that infrastructure “ Mr Healy said.
“The duplication of the remaining single-lane sections will further improve traffic flow, especially during peak hours.”
The project also includes installation of new paths and upgrades of existing paths to improve safety and connectivity for bike riders and pedestrians.
Mr Joyce said the upgrades showed the Australian Government was getting the job done for Queenslanders through its record $110b infrastructure investment plan.
State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the duplication was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $27.5b four-year roads and transport plan, which included more than $1.73b worth of road and transport projects across Far North Queensland.
The Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments with the Australian Government contributing $240m and the Queensland Government $60m.
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Originally published as Governments finalise preferred option for $300m Cairns Western Arterial Road upgrade
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